"The Truth About Who We Are..."

Jeremy, Actor, New York City by thegaymenproject

photos by Kevin Truong

Jeremy, in his own words: "To me, being gay has always been about a connection I've felt with men. It's not that I'm not physically attracted to women. It's just that I know that I can understand men in a way that I can't understand women. It's entirely possible that I just haven't given myself the chance to even try, but we'll cross that bridge when it comes to it!

The biggest challenge was growing up in rural Minnesota. The amount of ignorance that I've encountered in my life is crippling. People fear what they don't understand, and I was something that Hutchinson, MN could not wrap their minds around.

The gay community in New York is scary. I can't walk down the street without seeing a buff dude strutting his perfectly toned body with his perfectly toned boyfriend. When I first moved here I was worried that it took the washboard abs to thrive as a gay man in New York City, but I'm beginning to realize that even if it's true I just don't care. I really love myself at this current juncture of my life.

I don't really have a coming out story. I never struggled with my sexuality. I've always known I was gay even before I knew what being gay was. Although, I do remember when I was little I was playing video games with my mom's boyfriend, and I told her I was going to marry Captain America, and she responded "Yes you are baby!". That's probably the earliest conversation I had with my mom about my sexuality!

(Advice I'd give my younger self) Flaunt it! Flaunt it like you don't give a damn because in most cases you really shouldn't. Also buy a pair of leggings right now!